semblance - The way something appears on the surface, often without revealing the true nature or reality behind it.
In spite of their their kids' constant uncontrolled behavior, when they were outside they managed to keep up the semblance of calm, even though things were not so calm inside their house.
dowdy - (of a person or their clothes) unfashionable and without style in appearance (typically used of a woman)
When Helen reached the age of 100, she didn't care that people thought that she dressed in a dowdy manner, she contented herself thinking about the wonderful family she had raised.